Two Africans walk across northern England

Ernest's Story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  

 My name is Ernest Addae-Bosompra and I live in Kent.  I will be walking across northern England with my friend Ben Cofie on 26th August to raise funds for the Royal School for Deaf Children Margate, part of the John Townsend Trust. Ben and I have been friends for a long time as we are both members of the Grand Couples Club (GCC). We did a walk through the West End and Hyde Park in London several months ago and realised the health benefits. Subsequently we planned to do a long walk and came up with the idea of walking in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright the legendary fell walker who devised the ‘Coast to Coast’ walk. Making this a Charity walk is something I decided to do as it adds a special dimension to walking from ‘Coast to Coast’ and gives me the opportunity and satisfaction to give back to society.  

We chose to do the ‘Coast to Coast’ walk from St Bees to Robin Hood Bay because it is a testing, long distance path from one side of northern England to another that provides those who complete it with a quick snapshot of the country. Two-thirds of the walk is spent in the national parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors- These parks encompass some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. This is an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and splendour of northern England by walking from ‘Coast to Coast’.

I will be doing a preparation walk of the South Downs Trail on the 9 and 10 of July 2010.  I will attempt to walk about 25 miles between Eastbourne and Lewes.  Photographs and updates will follow as I progress.  The address of my blog is http://walkc2c.blogspot.com/ visit here for updates.

The John Townsend Trust

The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate was founded in 1792.  The majority of the children and young people come from London and the South East of England.  The children and young people are profoundly deaf with additional needs including learning difficulties, autism, mental health and emotional, behavioural and communication difficulties.  The John Townsend Trust is the umbrella Charity of not only the school, but Westgate College, Monkshill Farm and Community Living Services.

 As Ben and I were born in Africa and grew up in England, we consider ourselves fortunate to be working and living in England and understand the importance of being given opportunities in life. I hope you will support us in raising Money for the 'John Townsend Trust' as they give real opportunities to vunerable young people enabling them to live and work as independently as possible who may otherwise not have the opportunity in this world. Thank You."

You can contact me Ernest at addaeb@hotmail.com and Ben at niiayishanko2@yahoo.com

To visit The John Townsend Trust website www.johntownsendtrust.org.uk

PLAN FOR OUR WALK (Medium Pace and Staying in Hostels/Bunkhouses)

PHASE I 26-29 August 2011                  Distance

DAY 1 St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge                       14 miles       DAY2 EnnerdaleBridgetoBorrowdale         14.5miles   
     

PHASE II

DAY 1 Borrowdale to Grasmere                9.5 miles   

DAY 2 Grasmere to Patterdale                   10 miles

PHASE III

DAY 1 Patterdale to Shap                         16 miles

DAY 2  Shap to Kirby Stephen                  20 miles

PHASE IV

DAY 1  Kirby Stephen to Keld                  13 miles

DAY 2  Keld to Reeth                              11 miles

PHASE V

DAY 1 Reeth to Richmond                      10.5 miles

DAY 2 Richmond to Danby Wiske            14 miles

PHASE VI

DAY 1 Danby Wiske to Osmortherley       12 miles

DAY 2 Osmortherley to Clay Banks Top   11 miles

PHASE VII

DAY 1 B Clay Banks Top to Grosmont      22.5 miles

DAY 2 Grosmont to Robin Hoods Bay   15.5 miles   Finish

TOTAL Mileage                                      193.5 miles

 Eastbourne to Lewes (24miles walk)
 
9th July 2011 Saturday
 
Ben and i arrived at Eastbourne Youth Hostel at around 9.30am. The walk started uphill at about 10am and we hit the south downs trail after only 20 minutes of walking. The weather was excellent and this reflected our mood. We got to Beachy head in good time. The walk to Birling Gap from Beachy head was  also very pleasant. We stopped at Birling Gap to take photos and a well earned break. The National Trust had an exhibition going on, which we enjoyed.
The difficult part of the walk started after we left Birling Gap. Ben and I, were not mentally prepared for the 'Seven Sisters'.  The 7 sisters are 7 hills joined together at the hip and extends from the Birling Gap to the Cuckmere Haven. By the time we got to the halfway point 'Brass point', Mungo Park, the scottish Explorer's words became even more relevant to our situation. From the banks of the Niger river, he wrote back to the UK warning of his eventual demise. He said " Worn down by sickness and tiredness, for i will die with my discoveries". Death was not what we contemplated, but the pain from constantly walking upwards and then going downwards with the knees taking the pressure of the downward spiral, caused enormous pain and tiredness.
However, we benefitted from some beautiful scenery. The views inland over the Cuckmere Haven and the Cuckmere river was excellent. The views from the seventh hill 'cliff end' and  at 'Haven brow' over the village of 'Westdean' made it all worthwhile and gave us a fresh sense of purpose. Pain affects the mind, but the beauty of the South Downs around this part of the world dulled the pain and gave us a sense of purpose. We were now determined more than ever to reach Alfriston (which is where we were spending the night at the youth hostel in Frog Firle). At this point we had already covered 10 miles.
We headed towards Westdean through Exceat hill and the friston forest. worn out from pain and soaked in our sweat, we continued to match on. We were rewarded with views of Cuckmere Haven towards the south. The South Downs trail took us through the village of 'Westdean', and 'Chaleston Manor'. At this stage the South Downs trail runs along the 'Cuckmere River' affording us excellent views of Alfriston.
We got to the youth hostel at 'frog Firle' just after 8pm. We checked into room 12 and joined Iain, Matt and two other chaps. Everyone of our room mates had a story to tell. In particular these two chaps were cycling to 'Paris' and had to catch a ferry at Newhaven. We all wished them well. We had a late meal at the 'olde smuggllers inn' in the village of Alfriston.
 
10th July  2011(Sunday)
 
This was Ben's first ever long distance walk, and he felt he had achieved his goal. 13.5 miles was enough for him and he therefore decided to catch a bus to eastbourne and a train to London. We had agreed that i will continue the walk to Lewes. The first hill outside of Alfriston was the 'Cardiac Hill'. The effects of the previous day's walking and the steep incline made the climd even more challenging. However the words of 'Mungo Park' spurred me on. Worn out by tiredness and pain, only injury or sickness was going to stop me from moving on. This part of the walk was not as interesting as the previous day, however, i was afforded some spectacular views of Alfriston and the surrounding area. After walking 6.5 miles, of  an undulating and challenging terrain, i got to Southease which is 6.5 miles from Alfriston. I caught a train from there into Lewes and another train back to Eastbourne where we started our walk. Ben walked 13.5 miles and i walked 20 miles. As this was Ben's first ever long walk, it was in my opinion a fantastic achievement. Our first ever training session for the Coast to Coast walk is over and it was a success. We might have another one perhaps in 2-3 weeks time. Meanwhile enjoy the photos.
 
Ernest Addae-Bosompra